Articles
Effect of Potassium Fertilizer Split Applications together with Straw on Optimum Level in Leaf and Stem of Rice
Authors:
E. Pavithira,
Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Passara Road, 90000, Badulla, LK
D. N. Sirisena,
Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda, 60500, Ibbagamuwa, LK
H. M. S. K. Herath
Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Passara Road, 90000, Badulla, LK
Abstract
Effect of long term K fertilizer application together with rice straw on optimum K level in leaf and stem of rice plants was evaluated in a field experiment. No K fertilizer (T1), rice straw only (T2); 20 kg K2O ha–1 of K (both at basal dressing and panicle initiation) with rice straw (T3), 20 kg K2O ha–1 of K (at basal dressing) with rice straw (T4), 20 kg K2O ha–1of K (at panicle initiation) with rice straw (T5), and 20 kg K2O ha–1 of K (both at basal dressing and panicle initiation) (T6) were applied. Rice straw was amended at the rate of 5 t ha–1. Soil samples were analysed for exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K during the growing season and plant samples were analysed for K content in leaf and stem at maturity (12 weeks after planting). At harvesting, total grain yield and number of panicles were recorded. Soil and plant K contents under no K fertilizer (T1) were significantly lower (P<0.05) throughout the cultivation period compared to all other treatments. However, shoot dry matter, number of panicles, and grain yield were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments. All K fertilizer applied plots depicted higher K content in leaves and stem of rice plants, compared to the no K fertilizer treated plots, irrespective of straw application. The highest exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K contents were recorded in the treatment received with K fertilizer at the rate of 20 kg K2O ha–1(at basal dressing and panicle initiation) with rice straw, T3). When consider plant K uptake in relation to the non-exchangeable K there was a positive relationship irrespective of the type of treatment and the number of weeks after planting. According to these results it can be concluded that to maintain optimum K content (1.5 %) in leaf and stem of rice plant, it is needed to apply K fertilizer together with rice straw.
How to Cite:
Pavithira, E., Sirisena, D.N. and Herath, H.M.S.K., 2017. Effect of Potassium Fertilizer Split Applications together with Straw on Optimum Level in Leaf and Stem of Rice. Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka, 12(1), pp.24–33. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v12i1.8203
Published on
01 Jan 2017.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads